June 8th-18th

June 18th –

Today we had a semi day off and got to sleep. So for me that meant I woke up at 8 instead of 7…it was kind of weird for me that I couldn’t sleep in any longer. We had our devotional at 2 and then met with Scott and then Carlos and then Emily about the different things we had planned for this next week. We get to go to the zoo with Gotitas de Amor!! I’m so excited!!!! Then Emily talked to us about health things for the next couple of weeks, she is still a certified nurse in the states so that’s really helpful and nice to have here. The rest of the day we just worked on planning for different things going on and hanging out with one another.
We also danced in the thunderstorm rain, it was amazing!! Then Catherine, Lindsey and I started choreographing a dance to a song that we will make a video of soon.
Anyways it’s getting late and I’m exhausted.

Hope you enjoy the very long update from the past couple of days that have been a wonderful mix of experiences.

This is what I’m thankful for:
Clean water and lots of it
A roof over my head
A bed or sleeping bag to sleep in
A shower – hot or cold
Sturdy shoes
My Bible
Pen and Paper
The Small things…

If praying is your thing, here are some prayer requests:

These will always be prayer requests:
Team unity
Language barrier
Family situations
God will continue to work in our lives and transform our hearts

June 17th –

We started off the morning with the usual devotional that I lead – it was about the direction of your attitude, mainly about even just saying to yourself I get to do this instead of I have to, because there are many things we don’t want to do but we need to have a better attitude about it.
We traveled all day!! I sat shotgun the whole way and talked with Scott and watched best of youtube videos on his computer. We stopped at a place called Bongos for breakfast, it was a buffet and then for a late lunch we stopped at a random restaurant about 5 hours from Guatemala City. Once we finally got into the city it was raining cats and dogs and it took about an hour to actually get back to the School of Missions when it should’ve taken about 15 minutes. When we finally made it back home it was still pouring and the power was out and all of our stuff was on the top of the micro-bus (covered with a tarp of course) but still pretty wet. At that point, I was excited that I bought a nice backpack from REI and everything was dry, whereas my teammates stuff was all wet. Though we were all really excited to be home and be able to rest and play more Uno ☺.

June 16th-

Today we got up early and had breakfast at the church. We traded vans for the day, so that our van could get fixed (it needed a new clutch…or something). We drove around for a while getting the part for the microbus and picking up people and dropping them off. Then we realized we didn’t have any purified water for the day, so we drove around for another half hour looking for places with purified water- I was in amazement.
After that we drove an hour to the village of Santa Ana, it was out in the middle of nowhere. Most of us (Juan, Lindsey, Esther, Kendra, Claudia, Julio, Leslie, and myself) went to the school while the others (Mehir, Catherine, Wes and Maddai) went to a house about 20 minutes away and taught a service about the Nazarene doctrine – one person came to Christ during that service. We stayed at the school and did Remi and played games with the kids afterward. A bit after that Juan, Leslie, Esther and Claudia and I got out Wes’ guitar and played songs and had a nice reflection time.

After some time the other team that had been teaching the doctrine showed up and we left and walked to a pastor’s house close by. We ate rice and tortillas there and then had a church service where another person came to Christ. We also performed a couple songs for the people in the church – as a Juevenes de Mision (Youth in Mission) group.
Then we got to go to another pastors house and learn about some of the needs in the community. We got to try green mangoes right off the tree- they were amazing!! Although mangoes are possibly my favorite fruit, so I got lucky. It was like natures natural dental floss that takes some effort getting out of your teeth. Now that I think of it…I have one in my bag now…AMAZING!!

In the evening we went to a local restaurant – one of the pastor’s who church we visited owned- and had the Honduras national food called baleadas. They were pretty tasty. It was the first time we had flour tortillas since we’ve been in Central America. They aren’t serviced as much as corn tortillas because they are more expensive. Then we got milkshakes and I got a mango, it was outstanding!! After we went back to the seminary and packed up our stuff and played lots of Uno and then went to bed.

June 15th –

Happy Fathers Day!! I love you Dad and Grandpa!!!!

Today we went to church and taught Sunday School to the youth and played games with them and Leslie and I, both shared our stories of how we had made it to this point, in terms of being on Youth In Mission. Then we went to church and Scott preached. One person came to Christ during that service.
I heard music today at church that I feel like I’ll hear when I’m in heaven, it was so beautiful. It’s almost as if at that point the language barrier doesn’t even exist; love diminishes all barriers. There was an undoubtedly love and confidence in that room, something I feel you never see in The States. People were kneeling on their knees and no one cares what anyone else thinks, its like the Spirit just pushes out these judgmental thoughts and gives you a new sense of being, that you’re solely with Him and maybe with His angels or this community that’s behind you no matter what.

June 14th –

So on Saturday we were up and out at 7:30 AM on the way to the church for food. After that we had a crazy bumpy trip to a church – I thought our old Igelsia del Nazareno microbus wouldn’t make it. Though it did. We got there and were dropped off without any adults or leaders – only the first group. The second group was dropped off at an alternative location. We had about an hour to invite kids to the Remi show and evangelize as well. We split ourselves into two teams – Esther, Wes and myself and then Mehir, Catherine and Lindsey so we could cover more ground. Our group spent most of the time sharing the evangecube. It was really amazing; a lot of the time Wes and I were hanging out for moral support as Esther rapidly spoke Spanish. We could understand what was going on, she just has this wonderful gift. We also prayed for some people too. Our group went and talked with this woman that had said that Jesus is in her heart but she just has a problem with the people in the church and had been hurt a lot in the past. Through all the tears and pain we experienced while in her house we prayed for her and her family and she made a commitment to start going to church again. We prayed over several people that day. A lot of people seemed to be non practicing Christians in the area that seemed like they just wanted some love and were very willing to try and put their faith out there.
After that we did Remi in church for the kids and then played soccer with the kids while we waited a couple of hours for Scott to pick us back up in the microbus.

We then had lunch and went as a big group and did Remi and some evangelized. Scott did a game after that is was hilarious – he sang Boom Chicka Boom!! The kids absolutely loved it.
Then we went back to the church and gave the Sex, Lies and the Truth workshop it was awkward because we were in a church and it came on really strong.

It’s really interesting how it seems that futbol in the only sport that exists in Central America. You’ll see basketball courts that have been turned into futbol fields everywhere, its really funny.

My heart has really been smiling since I’ve been here. I feel such a strong call to this area. Most of you might not know that I have felt a strong call towards Honduras – especially working with orphanages, though that’s not something I will be able to experience while here this summer, I’m still so thankful and assured. I’ve had a lot of different persons throughout the more recent years ask me and tell me that I should work in orphanages and even leave school to do so. Although, I don’t feel the call to leave school to do so. I know that by the end of this summer and these trips to Honduras I will have left a piece of my heart here in Honduras. Even if I don’t get an opportunity to visit the country again – I know it was right for the time that I was there and I will have it documented forever in my journal of how God allowed my being to be stretched that summer. How He let my heart smile and break so much I could cry. I experienced more heartache and pain for the people there than I have in a long time. It may have been part of my culture shock, but it was a kind of confirmation that I wasn’t expecting. I had no idea what a strong pull God was going to put on my heart in such a short trip to Honduras. I couldn’t let myself in my heart complain about the food, the smog, or any of the worldly things, I was and am still in everything I do, like it says in Matthew 25:35-40 excited “…to serve the least of these.”

June 13th, 2008

We woke at 4:45 AM – having to be ready and everything by 5:15 AM and then we were on our way to Honduras. It was a 10-hour drive that took 14 hours because of traffic. I ended up feeling sick during the trip and spent the remainder of the car trip in the front seat exchanging stories with Scott.
Something I didn’t mention is that I absolutely feel in love with Antigua – they have several upon several language schools there and I’d love to attend one someday. I want to learn the in’s and out’s of Spanish- like the back of my hand.
Once we got to Honduras we had dinner the Church of the Nazarene there. A nice lady is cooking our meals here and we’re staying at the Nazarene Theological Seminary here. Most of the guys in my group say that they think that God is calling them here – mostly because of all the beautiful women.

June 12th, 2008

In the morning Danielle taught us about a literacy program at Gotitas de Amor. It was so fun learning about it, I would love to be involved in the program, it would be a wonderful way to improve my Spanish.
After that we went to Antigua, Guatemala – which is a beautiful ancient city about an hour or so away from San Cristobal (where we live). We got to go to this look out which was for the Guatemalans to see when the Spaniards were invading. And there is a giant stone cross up there, it was so beautiful, you could see the whole city. We got to by a couple cathedrals and then go to this beautiful fountain. At that point we split into groups and went shopping. I was with Wes, Juan, Catherine and Lindsey. Juan helped us and introduced deeper into the world of bartering. He said that there are markers a couple of hours from his hours like the ones we were at – so he didn’t buy much- I’m going to need another suitcase. Then we drove back, had an hour break – I slept.
Then we went to Gotitas de Amor where we had been the day before and played games with the kids there and then Carlos (the leader) spoke and then we played more games. We then came home and packed for Honduras and then went to bed.

June 11th

Scott has us write out what God has been doing in our life and then translate it into Spanish – so Juan helped me A LOT. And then it goes into a BlogSpot of Scott and Emily’s. I finished mine last night. The last couple of days we have been back from Jovente we haven’t done a whole lot. During church on Sunday the Pastor talked about The Great Commission and then had us come up and the church prayed for us. Scott and Emily individually laid hands on us and prayed for us. It was really amazing. He was using us for an example of The Great Commission. I was astonished. Then we went to Sunday School and they talked about what I feel has been a continuing theme in my life lately: Love your neighbor as yourself. I have really been learning to love every part of myself. God has been ever present and transforming my heart.

June 11th, 2008

Today we went to Gotitas de Amor and did maintenance work. We washed and painted the walls a peach color on top and a brown color on the bottom. At the end of the painting day – I had so much paint all over me – it was kind of ridiculous. His wife made us lunch and then Carlos made us dinner. It was so nice of them. Then we went to a service at his church with the kids involved in Gotitas de Amor. I think I should donate money to them. Then as we –the second group (our YIM group)- first group (all the kids) – anyways, as we were leaving the church, we had to go in one of the later car rides because the kids took up the first one and as we were waiting with Julio (he works with Gotitas de Amor and in the school of missions) at the corner of a street where there is a Christian convenience store and all of sudden BAM!! a soda bottle smacks down on the ground and a dog from a balcony begins to bark. The bottle was filled with urine. A lady from the church came up and said that the couple that lives up there are mentally ill and threw it because it was a big group and they hate Christians. There is no way they could’ve known we were Christians except for the fact that we were standing in front of the store. Our first hateful at performed against us. I don’t understand where that much hatred comes from – it made me want to cry.

Tuesday June 10th-

Today we learned more about Gotitas de Amor (Droplets of Love). The ministry’s passage is Luke 18:16. The ministry is in the Red Zone, which is one of the poorest parts of Guatemala-the houses are built on an old park. There are 3-8 kids in a family; 6-12 years old and once they finish 6th grade they can be volunteers and help the other kids. On Monday afternoon’s and evening’s they help the kids with their homework-if materials are needed for art projects for school the ministry provides it. The kids that aren’t in school, they have crafts for them to do. On Saturdays/Sundays they provide breakfast or dinner for the kids.
This guy named Carlos started the ministry because kids started wanting to go to church with him and his family; and the ministry is in his house.
Their finance is provided by a man with an interesting story-
A man and his wife have twins and one of them had a heart problem and because of doctor negligence the kid died. The man sued the doctor and has used all the money for children’s ministries and absolutely none for himself. The ministry started with 65 ninos. It’s a wonderful thing to get a chance to be a part of.

After learning about Gotitas de Amor, we were filmed for the How to of Remi. It was really exhausting but of course fun. We are going to be the people other people will make fun of in 10 years. It will be awesome. A LOT –over 150,000 -of people will see and use this film. We did it twice!! Then hung out the rest of the day and I got to talk to my mum.

Monday June 9th-

We worked on Sub-Commission things for when we go back to Jovente. I am in the Work and Witness section, we’re building a fence – barbed wire on the top and metal fencing and then barbed wire on the bottom – around the health center and then doing a concrete slab possible. I’m also on the commission that is in charge of the ending service. We will be in Jovente for 5 days and we will be really busy while we’re there; we have so many wonderful things planned. After we did that we worked on the revised schedule for the summer. At night as we were about to practice for Remi, we played around with the puppets and made movies. They’re hilarious!! Our group is really like a family.

June 8th – Evening

So during church the service was about The Great Commission and the pastor was basically saying that you don’t have to be out of the ordinary or particular spectacular to fulfill God’s commandments. You can do it and then the pastor used us as an example and he had us (YIM group) get up and go to the front and pray for us. Scott and Emily walked behind and prayed for each of us individually. It was amazing that we’re actually doing it, HE USED US AS AN EXAMPLE. I was like WHAT?!! ME?!? Then we went to Sunday School and the leader continued with the same message and said that he really admired us for what we are doing, it was so sweet. He also talked about how we need to be released from our material things and be able to give it away if needed. Then he talked about what I feel has been a continuing theme recently- love others as yourself- which I have been learning so much from recently. It’s so key to living as a human – loving yourself in totality takes a completely different kind of courage than loving others. I have been learning how to love every part of me lately and see myself through the eyes of Christ. Still learning every day. All the people in Sunday School wanted pictures with us, part of me wonders why me.
After church we went out to lunch for a couple hours- they had Pizza Hut restaurant – it was GREAT!! We were also taking care of Elijah and Sydney, they are such fun kids. Then we walked around the mall trying to kill time and Catherine and I totally saw a girl shoplift and no one even flinched as we watched her book it across the mall.
After that Scott and Emily picked us back up we went to the Seminary and played duck duck goose, I raced Elijah and we played soccer as we were waiting for Scott and Emily to pick stuff up from their friends.
So much for a day of resting but we ended up being able to skip church because we’re all exhausted and we’re going to have a service at Scott and Emily’s house, which will be fun. Time for a half hour nap.
Adios.

June 8th – During church

Today I woke up at 4 am and missed my alarm to call Matt. But I got up and wrote him an email and called and talked to him for a bit. I’m wondering and trying not to put too much into this because I don’t want to get hurt of course and I really want to focus on the amazing experiences going on here. I wonder if we all didn’t have significant others back at home if we would be putting more into this experience. Ad I don’t want to regret not giving this time in my life my all.
Right now we’re at church and it is purely Spanish speaking. Lindsey will turn to me every once in a while and tell me what’s going on.
I’m not feeling super well and neither is Wes, Catherine, or Kendra. I think we’re all getting the Guatemalan sickness. I guess its good it’s happening now rather than later.
The church is really amazing. It started (the service) with a few people in it and grew immensely and basically filled the entire sanctuary. The people here are very loving and beautiful. They all greet you with a kiss on the cheek. I am continually surprised and thankful. I have a wonderful Father.
The rest of the day we’re just resting and hanging out and then we have another service in the evening. I’ve mostly been using this time in church to pray and reflect –not necessarily on everything I’ve encountered- but how wonderful the love of Christ is. Thank you.
Peace.